Audio collection system and method for sound capture, broadcast, analysis, and presentation

ABSTRACT

At least a system or a method is provided for remote delivery or collection of a device such as an audio collection device. For example, a device comprising an aperture collection and retrieval pin is provided. An apparatus is provided having an aperture receiver, an aperture drive gear and a drive motor. The drive motor is configured to drive the aperture drive gear to open or close the aperture receiver of the apparatus for retrieving or releasing the device comprising the aperture collection pin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the priority of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/709,030 filed on Mar. 30, 2022, to beissued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,646,039 on May 9, 2023, which claims thepriority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/237,234 filed on Apr.22, 2021, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,322,160 on May 3, 2022, whichclaims the priority and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 63/014,836 filed on Apr. 24, 2020, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

At least one of the present exemplary embodiments and methods provides aunique Audio Collection System comprised of self-contained AudioCollection Devices (ACDs), related apparatuses, Audio DistributionDevices (ADDS), and Audio Control Analysis (ACA) components/functions.

BACKGROUND

The present section is intended to introduce the reader to variousaspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of at least oneof the present embodiments that is described and/or claimed below. Thisdiscussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader withbackground information to facilitate a better understanding of thevarious aspects of at least one embodiment, and is not an admission ofany prior art.

There are presently many devices and methods for listening toenvironments including rooms, vehicles, outdoor environments, and etc.Surveillance, security cameras, and video/audio wildlife monitors aresome examples.

Some wildlife monitors may include video and/or audio with multiplelocation monitoring. Some prior systems (e.g., Huster, US 2005/0212912A1) include several cameras with a microprocessor and wirelessconnection to send images back to a hosting service that enables a userto review the images and include many additional details like time,temperature, and weather conditions, for example.

Yet another disclosure (i.e., Patrick et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,463A)describes a system that records audio using multiple microphonesconnected to a single recorder or multiple recorders synchronized andtriggered by either a timer or sound pressure event for the purpose ofidentifying wildlife species by sound.

Another product on the market is the Song Meter SM4 from WildlifeAcoustics Company that records wildlife audio on SD memory cards.Another option is Nature's Window from TMB Studios that provides amicrophone connected to a wire that a user hangs out of a windowallowing the sounds from outside to be listened to inside via speakeroutput.

Other devices for capturing sound include devices for spying,monitoring, and recording conversations of phone calls, rooms, or aspecific area where a microphone or cell phone may be located. For cellphones there are software apps that turn on the cell phone microphone toallow monitoring the sound around the vicinity of the smart phone.

In addition, many companies have products that range from indoor andexterior mounting, microprocessors for streaming on IP networks, and canalso use sound analysis to identify and activate an alarm with the soundof glass breaking, for example, or if gun shots are heard. Louroe is anexemplary company that sells many kinds of microphones and base stationsin these categories.

Still other older style technology exists including a microphonecombined with a wireless transmitter, frequently referred to as a “bug”.Moreover, there is technology available to detect these so-called bugsby detecting the wireless signal being used.

There are many passive techniques to locate the source of a sound goingback decades, one example was to use horns of various sizes andconfigurations where a person's ear would listen through a horn.

Another device called the sound locator uses more recent technologyincluding 3 microphones, an Arduino processor and display to indicatedirection of the sound source.

SUMMARY

Present inventor recognizes that previous and existing products arelacking or have problems for broader applications use, cumbersome orwill not work at all. Some of the potential disadvantages which thepresent embodiments aim to overcome are listed below:

1. Lack of Immersive Audio Features

One exemplary need is for use in a home or a business with closedwindows or windows that are designed not to be opened, and if a personwould like to hear the sounds outside of each window. Typically, thereis presently not a system designed for solving this problem.

Moreover, a single, easy to use controller for listening to all windowsis not readily available. Physical issues can arise as well, forexample, it may not be feasible to hang wires out of windows, or powersources may not be available or reliable.

2. Lack of Scalability for Single Modules to Support Small to LargerEnvironments

Presently known systems lack the ability for a single system designedwith components to be scaled from a single Audio Collection Device outto nearly unlimited Audio Collection Devices that includes control toenable listening to any one device, any combination of devices, or allof the devices simultaneously.

Take for example a hotel that installs a system to allow guests to hearoutdoors, perhaps to hear the ocean. Each window can have an ACD device,each room can have an ADD that when powered on, causes the ACD to poweron.

Additionally, the hotel main office would have the ability to power onor off any specific outdoor window or hear sounds from outdoors from allwindows, or a side of the building, and soon.

Consider a crowd of people listening to a person speaking at a centralpodium—typically, the person speaking is broadcast out through multiplespeakers from a single microphone or a small set of microphones.

Alternatively, imagine the advantages and benefits if everyone in thecrowd had a microphone and a remote observer could listen to the personspeaking from the location of any specific person in the crowd, or groupof people, or all of the microphones from all the people in the crowdsimultaneously. Also, imagine if one could not only hear how the personspeaking sounds from many locations, but it could provide directfeedback about what people in the crowd are saying about informationbeing presented. Accordingly, an improved system would be a veryvaluable tool for real time monitoring of the feelings and reactions ofa crowd.

Such an improved system does not currently exist that allows this typeof scaling and/or distribution with the ability to control any one orall the input devices.

3. Lack of Configurability

While there are many modular systems on the market today, they aretypically limited to a specific functionality and do not provide a largevariety of configurations to take advantage of enabling a single AudioCollection Device to expand to unlimited Audio Collection Devices. Thiscreates a problem of needing to buy and understand multiple types ofsystems based on a desired functionality. This can create added costsfor components, training, and usage. In the worst case, the currentsystem may become obsolete if a larger and/or a more capable system isneeded in the future or if the need outgrows the current system.

4. Lack of Remote Internet Connectivity

With the Internet of Things, many devices can report back to a server ora central application. This is typical with such systems like the Blinkcamera security system from Amazon, Ring doorbell systems, or securitysystems like ADT.

While these systems are capable for the specific monitoring uses andprovide many features, they do not supply configurations and use casesfor crowd collaboration nor leveraging the power of connection of largegroups with Audio Collection Devices.

5. Other Challenges and Problems May Arise Such as, e.g., the AudioCollection Devices may be remotely located where power is not readilyavailable, such as, e.g., where an Audio Collection Device needs tooperate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a long time without the needfor human intervention to change batteries or manage power lossproblems.

6. Lack of battery management, monitoring, and recovery control toensure the device continues to operate versus just letting the batteriesto go dead. Power control of such a system needs to be done remotely andwirelessly to avoid needing to go to each of the sites to resolveissues.

7. Lack of audio noise control from power supplies, chargers, and otherinterference are common problem with the prior systems when using videomonitors causing audio to have unwanted noise due to the system beingfocused on video, or providing an inadequate understanding of asituation versus supplying a CD quality level of audio.

8. Control from a central location managed as a large group of peoplewith a single intention needs to be solved for the ability to have manypeople collaborate simultaneously and to control such a systemefficiently and effectively.

9. Lastly, there are not adequate presentation systems in place to bringtogether many different media types into a single product orpresentation as a whole collection of works simultaneously.

Accordingly, present embodiments aim to solve the problems discussedabove and to also solve other problems that are inherent in creatingsuch a system and method as described herewith. These and other issues,solutions and advantages will be addressed and discussed throughout thisdisclosure.

Some exemplary features of an exemplary system and associated methodaccording to present embodiments may include, but not limited to:

-   -   1. audio Input and output devices which are addressable and        configurable;    -   2. ability to plug and play for creating a variety of unique        configurations;    -   3. scalability, supporting a single input device or a stadium        full of people;    -   4. modular building blocks that can be added into an        environment, for example, added to a window either through a        window upgrade or as part of the window manufacturing process.        Alternatively, modules can be mounted directly to a structure or        added pleasingly to an enclosure to match a specific        environment. Modules may also take the form of a software, such        as an app, to be installed on a mobile device or a computing        device, such as, e.g., a smart phone, a tablet, a PC, or a        server;

5. multi-dimensional audio listening system enabling features for soundoutput to provide a full sound immersive experience;

6. an audio playback system, e.g., for playing recorded audio directlyback to wildlife for the purposes of wildlife reaction and interactionobservations;

7. system that can be added to the Internet of Things (IOT) usingfeatures and functions such as edge computing to allow access to realtime audio, alteration of audio streams, audio analysis, audio storage,and live broadcast as enhanced monitoring;

8. an ability to track a sound source in real time as sound movesthrough an environment or an eco-system using, e.g., GPS or otherlocation tracking capabilities; and/or

9. analysis of sound providing user feedback about features of andpotential causes of a specific sound or sounds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of an Audio Collection Device (ACD).

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of an Audio Distribution Device (ADD).

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of an Audio Collection Device (ACD)using an app.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary Audio Collection—PC configuration.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary Audio Collection—PC user interface.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary Server Software, Cloud Control andAnalysis System (CAS).

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary Cloud User Control and Configuration.

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary Cloud Audio Distribution Control.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary System Configurations.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary Audio Collection Device, Sound AnalysisSystem.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary Audio Collection Device, Automobileexample.

FIG. 9 illustrates Standard Form Factor examples.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary Audio Collection Device, DroneDeploy/Retrieve examples.

FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary Audio Collection Device, Drone AudioCollection during a flight.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary device 1200.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary birdhouse enclosure using snap panels.

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary functional components of an audiocollection storage/presentation web site.

FIG. 15 illustrates exemplary bird house enclosures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Present embodiments in some ways are about creating and presentinginformational audio/video, and related content as original works. Itinvolves new types of tools that can be used to accomplish creatingoriginal works. The following paragraphs provide examples, relatedproblems, solutions and/or associated advantages.

Consider an artist who observes birds. The artist may listen live or mayrecord the birds using an audio recorder; however, the audio recorderhas limitations for battery time, recording medium space, limited audioinputs, and a requirement of timing for when a specific audio conditionoccurs. Then while watching a specific bird, the artist creates drawingsor paintings relative to the bird. Additionally, the artist creates anabstract artwork about the bird's environment along with veryhigh-resolution photographs. And lastly, the artist creates a writingabout what was observed or possibly creates a story about the scene.

As can be seen, there are many different aspects about the informationbeing collected with different types of mediums of content beingcreated, including sound recordings, artwork, and a document. Now thecontent creator has a new challenge, how would the person present thedifferent types of related mediums to the public as a whole package?Moreover, how would the content creator be provided with a moreefficient and easier way of making available his/her original works toallowing access by a large number of audience/viewers?

The traditional presentation options available leave the content creatorwith either splitting up the works or presenting them individually, aswould be typical with making available the works as separate art atservices like Pintrest, Etsy, Ebay, Amazon, Craig's List, Audible, orperhaps Spotify. Or the content creator could make available the contentas a book or an audio book, however, this is not fully compatible fordocuments or graphics. Another presentation method could be to captureeverything in a single video including the sound, artwork, and writingsand present the content on YouTube, but that reduces the content to amedium that is inadequate for the quality of the artwork, audio, andwritings. Moreover, the content creator would need an extremely largenumber of viewers to be viable. Similar scenario with Facebook, thecontent can be created but the medium is inadequate and does not appearto be viable for a multiple-work content creator.

As a final option, the content creator could create a unique websitewhere the person could adequately present all the mediums of the contentin a manner that does it justice, however, this requires technicalskills or requires the content creator to pay someone else to create theweb site, and will have added costs of recurring fees to keep thewebsite maintained and running. As a result, typically, the whole of thecontent goes unpresented to the public due to the challenges andproblems listed above.

As can be seen, there are a variety of problems for a content creator togenerate and create a large audio/visual works combined with otherrelative mediums, and to get a whole body of original works publishedand presented to public viewers with ease of use, and for a large numberof audience/viewers.

Again, present inventor recognizes some of the problems which needed tobe solved according to the embodiments presented herewith:

-   -   1. Audio Collection Devices to support unlimited audio streaming        without needing to be concerned about location, power sources,        and adequate audio storage and ease of use;    -   2. a method to bring separate self-contained Audio Collection        Devices into a single stereo or mono audio stream or recording;    -   3. placement of audio devices where a content creator may not        have direct access, for example, on cliffs or roof tops;    -   4. presentation of full works of original audio content and        relative other mediums with ease of use; and/or    -   5. a presentation system that promotes and enables content        creators to present a whole set of created original works,        created in different forms, as a single item.

Accordingly, the present disclosure introduces examples of a new type ofaudio/visual content creation and companion presentation system thatincorporates a compensation function for content creators. Provided inthe present specification are engineering solutions, technicalarchitectures, descriptions and techniques that combine components,techniques, and computing devices to create a system of modular toolsand components comprising:

Components that make up the Presentation and Compensation System, e.g.,may comprise:

-   -   1. New audio content creation and presentation tools        -   a. Audio Collection Devices (ACDs)        -   b. Audio Distribution Devices (ADDS)        -   c. Control Analysis Functions (CAF)        -   d. Presentation platform            -   i. A web based platform that provides ease of use and                includes                -   1. Web pages                -    a. Allows original works owners to manage content                    and compensation                -    b. Provides a method/apparatus to present multiple                    mediums simultaneously as a single product                -    c. Allows potential customer to search, review, and                    directly purchase original works                -   2. Ecommerce function                -    a. To allow audio and other content to be sold                -   3. Database                -    a. To house content, owner metadata, customer                    metadata, and ecommerce information

The modular components of the Audio Collection System and PresentationPlatform are further described herewith:

Audio Collection Devices (ACD) Components/Features

Exemplary Audio Collection Devices (ACDs) for collecting/capturing sounddistributed in one or more locations may comprise severalcomponents/functional blocks such as, e.g., a power supply, a microphonefor input, a transmitter and an antenna for audio output, devicecontrols, and an addressing id/feature to make the device unique fromother ACDs on the system. FIG. 1A provides an exemplary block diagram ofan ACD (101).

Referring to FIG. 1A, the ACD (101) has several functional blocks. Thisversion of the Audio Collection Device (101) does not rely on AC powerbut instead can be placed outside and powered by the sun via aphotovoltaic cell (112) that recharges a battery (103) via a solarcontroller (102) that prevents the battery from over charging. Solarcharging system technology is well understood to a person skilled in theart and will not be explained here in detail for purpose of brevity. Thepower supply function (104) may be part of the solar controller (102) orpower may be supplied directly from the battery (103).

There is a Remote-Control (RC) Relay (105) added to provide the abilityto remove the load from the system when the input device is not in use,avoiding unnecessary current drain on the battery (103).

The RC relay (105) may be controlled by any remote-control option, forexample, a remote key FOB (113) using a wireless signal, a Smart PhoneApp (114) via a cell phone network or the Internet, a computer (115) viaa WiFi network, or other devices that use wireless communicationprotocols like Bluetooth, ZigBee or Zwave that are common in commercial,home automation, and security systems. The remote control FOBfunctionality (113) may also be included in an ADD receiver device (117)so that, when the ADD receiver (117) is switched on, the ACD (101) isalso switched on via the RC relay (105), thru a signal sent from awireless transmitter in ADD (not shown).

However, there is some voltage drain expected when the RC relay (105)removes power due to the RC Relay receiver circuit (105), therefore,during storage the battery may be physically disconnected or by using aphysical switch (102).

Following the RC Relay (105) is a power management circuit function(106). This circuit monitors battery voltage and during a low voltagecondition, the load is disconnected to avoid a deep discharge of thebattery (103). Once the battery is recharged by the solar cell (112),the power management circuit (106) will reconnect the load to thebattery (103).

The load for this Audio Collection Device (101) includes a microphone(111), an audio processing function/processor (108) that provides audioamplification, mono or stereo selection, and/or power for an activemicrophone 111. The audio processing function/processor (108) isconnected to a transmitter (109) that has a unique address entered via akeyboard (107) or is software configurable to allow this ACD (101) to bedistinguished from all other ACDs in the system. The transmitter (109),connected to an antenna (110), may be any number of options, forexample, Bluetooth, FM, AM, WiFi, ZigBee, cell service, or other uniquewireless protocol using, e.g., RF 2.4 GHz or 933 MHz, or any othersuitable frequency or frequencies. The processor (108) may also provideother controller and coordination functions for the rest of componentsof the ACD (101) as is well known in the art.

If the device (101) is used indoors then the solar cell (112) isreplaced with an AC to DC power supply (not shown in FIG. 1A).Optionally, battery (103) and the solar controller (102) may be removedor left in, if battery backup is desired.

Other features may include indicators, such as, for example, voltage andamperage indicators, running hours, charge hours, sunlight hours,temperature, humidity, and sound meter (VU) and a charge port forbattery recharging (e.g., 116). Additionally, options to control andreport status of the ACD may include the following components:

One or more microprocessor/microcontroller for the purpose of:

-   -   a. Indicating voltage levels for solar cell (112) and battery        (103) reported to a user verbally with a synthetic voice, for        example, when the unit (101) first powers up, an audio voice        signal is sent saying “battery voltage is 6.2 volts, solar cell        voltage is 12.4 volts” via the audio transmitter (109).    -   b. Automatic actions using a microprocessor/microcontroller with        monitoring of voltage, time, or environment:        -   i. Providing automatic shutdown or sleep mode if battery            level is low.        -   ii. Automatically comes out of sleep mode when a battery            voltage reaches an acceptable or full voltage level.        -   iii. Timer actions to go into sleep mode or full power-on            mode based on time.        -   iv. Night versus daytime operations, changing the            transmitter power output or frequency determined by            available light from the sun.        -   v. Temperature, actions taken based on temperature to either            enter a sleep mode or a full power mode.

The microprocessor/microcontroller may also be used to packetize data totransmit the audio via a wireless network. One example of amicroprocessor/microcontroller suitable for use in the presentembodiments may be an ST32 series SoC (System on Chip) processorcomponent from STMicroelectronics. STMicroelectronics provides standard(ARM based) performance and cost effectivenessmicroprocessors/microcontrollers with good product life cycle that isprogrammable using C/C++ and a development environment with somefeatures including standard SDK STMicroelectronics libraries and SoC ICradio. Alternatively, the SoC IC may connect to a separate radiocomponent.

Exemplary source codes for a microprocessor/microcontroller suitable forimplementation of present embodiments may include some or all offollowing software functions/features:

-   -   a. Boot code to load a main program loop that includes:        -   i. Voltage monitor and solar charging        -   ii. Sleep mode until the battery is adequately charged        -   iii. Receive audio from microphone(s) connected to an analog            to digital converter        -   iv. Packetize digital audio into a WAV, MP3, OGG, or another            digital audio format        -   v. Transmit the packetized audio to a receiver ADD via a            wireless network protocol        -   vi. Keep alive timer to reset the device if a problem is            encountered        -   vii. Addressing for the device        -   viii. Volume output control and/or audio gain control        -   ix. Audio normalization        -   x. Filtering of audio signals to remove unwanted frequencies

An exemplary battery charge circuit (116) suitable for implementation ofpresent embodiments may be a Texas Instruments charge controller such asUC2909-EP, or the like.

An exemplary battery (103) suitable for implementation of presentembodiments may be a sealed lead acid 6V battery which has been a provensolution fora wide range of environmental conditions, as proven out withvehicle over the last 50 years, however, other options are available.

In addition, two active omnidirectional microphones (111) may producestereo monitoring.

These above are all typical examples of components that a person skilledin the art would recognize and may be used in implementations of presentembodiments, however, these examples are not intended to be limiting, asother options may be selected, such as, using lithium ion batteries(103), different charge controllers (e.g., a Texas Instruments BQ24765component), and audio filtering could be done with hardware componentsversus microprocessor/microcontroller software.

Therefore, some advantages and features of an exemplary Audio CollectionDevice (ACD) according to present embodiments are that it solves theproblems of:

-   -   Needing a wire through a window.    -   Scalability:        -   Each ACD is addressed and contains its own power source.        -   Each ACD has a unique id and control:            -   Switch on/off audio and transmitter circuits            -   Adjust each unit's features like volume, stereo                selection, gain boost, and power management separately                from remote, central or distributed location        -   ACDs can be located at any place a radio signal may be            received and transmitted.        -   ACDs are modular and may be brought together to make larger            systems.        -   ACDs are programmable and may include filtering to improve            the audio signal.

ACD Physical Characteristics/Features

Audio Collection Devices may be standardized size modules allowing themto be housed or installed into many types of enclosures, for example, abird house, integrated into or onto a window, a flower box, a lamp post,ruggedized plastic or metal boxes, wall AC wiring outlet boxes, orvehicle installations.

In some exemplary embodiments, Audio Collection Devices (ACDs) may notneed to be newly designed and developed hardware, and instead, may beimplemented by software such as an app on a mobile/computing device. Forexample, the app may be software developed to run on existing hardware(e.g., standard smart phones, tablet PC's, or smart walkie talkie, etc.)may be another way to achieve similar results. In the case of a smartphone, an app using the embedded components of a smartphone could supplythe functions and features of an Audio Collection Device. This wouldallow a few, a group, or a stadium of smart phones to be used in newways to create a larger system for audio data collection and analysis,according to the present embodiments.

Audio Collection App as an Audio Collection Device Referring to FIG. 2 ,an Audio Collection App is an example of software that may be installedon a tablet, smart phone, or a PC. The Audio Collection Device App(e.g., “AudioCast App” 201) allows an audio stream to be sent to anexemplary Audio Collection System (see, e.g., 310, 314 in FIG. 3A, to bedescribed in more detail below) for listening, processing, datamining,and if desired, remote control of the Audio Collection Device App (201)itself.

The Audio Collection Device App (201) may be configured directly at asmart phone (200) or over a network using software from another locationconnecting to the phone (200) via an IP address, mac address, phonenumber, and/or other smart phone addressing means. Features for theAudio Collection Device app (201) could be many, but referring to FIG. 2, some of the features and components are additionally described below:

-   -   1. Smart phone (200)—comprises a processor, memory, microphone,        A/D function, network connection, power source, touch screen        display.    -   2. AudioCast App (201)—Audio Collection Device app/software for        the smart phone.    -   3. Display area (202)—For displaying control and status        information.    -   4. Keypad (203)—For entering and controlling the app (201).    -   5. Controls area (204)—Having physical or virtual buttons for        selecting features and settings.    -   6. Connect button (205)—Physical or virtual button used to        connect to/from the Audio Collection System.    -   7. Mute button (206)—Physical or virtual button used to mute the        audio output from the Audio Collection Device.    -   8. Volume (207)—Physical or virtual button used to control the        level of the audio output from the ACD.    -   9. Settings button (208)—Physical or virtual button used to        launch a configuration screen for keyboard input. For assigning        send/receive communications addressing. Setting transmit audio        quality, microphone boost, and save settings.

Accordingly, one exemplary use of an Audio Collection Device is duringreal time broadcasting. For example, imagine a concert where most peoplein the audience has a smartphone and the Audio Collection App (e.g.,“AudioCast App” 201) is installed on each phone and setup with AudioCollection Device feature enabled. People in the audience can thereforeconnect their individual Audio Collection App 201 with the AudioCollection Service (400, 404 in FIG. 4 ) via a communication connectionwith the internet, using, e.g., cell service, Wi-Fi network, or otheravailable connection option.

As shown in FIG. 4 , an exemplary Audio Collection Service (400, 404)processes each audio received from a respective Audio Collection App(401-403) and makes the received audio available as a broadcast over theinternet to users or subscribers of, e.g., Audiocast App (405, 406). Inaddition, the Audiocast Service (400, 404) may provide various optionsfor broadcast output, for example, a stereo broadcast with all phoneapps to one side of the stadium, and the alternate side of the stadiumphone apps out as the other side of a stereo channel. Or a monobroadcast for playback would be another example. Still another examplemay be to mute phone apps from output due to noise, distortion, or otheraudio problem. Because present embodiments allow addressing and controlof each Audio Collection Device, many processing, control and outputoptions may be made available and/or may be automated to address noiseor distortion problems in real time. Additionally the AudioCast App mayinclude a receive ADD option to listen to the broadcast of a collectionof ACD's.

Analysis on the audio sound may be managed at any stage of the system.For example, an audio input may be normalized at the Audio CollectionDevice phone app 401, or at the Audio Collection System (see, e.g.,FIGS. 3A and 3B). Other functions may be implemented such as, e.g.,synchronization, echo, delay, multiplexing, normalizing, compression,format change, and automatic editing, however, one skilled in the artwould readily recognize that many features applicable to audioprocessing may also be applied to such a system.

Another exemplary use according to present embodiments may be monitoringof a fireman during fighting of a fire or enabling monitoring in ad hocway for an unexpected situation. One skilled in the art would recognizethat such a system may apply to many different types of situations basedon present exemplary embodiments and principles presented herewith.

One skilled in the art of creating a smart phone app (e.g., Androidsmart phone app) would realize that there are many sample source codesavailable from Internet repositories like Gethub and Stack Overflow.Such sample source codes may be modified according to presentembodiments and teachings to create an ACD app with the features ofrecording and broadcasting audio via a smart phone using the AndroidSoftware Development Kit (SDK). Similar app may be implemented for,e.g., Apple IOS mobile devices.

As an example and illustration, an exemplary ACD smart phone app may beimplemented via the exemplary source code listing as shown in ExemplarySource Code Listing and Overview section at the end of this disclosure.

Audio Distribution Devices (Add)

According to present embodiments, one or more Audio Distribution Devices(ADDs) may be employed for distributing sound collected by one or moreACDs, to one or more respective locations of the ADDs.

Audio Distribution Via a Radio Receiver as an ADD

An Audio Distribution system configurations according to presentembodiments may be in many different forms depending on the applicationneeds. For a smaller system with 1 ACD and 1 ADD, a portable FM radiomay be an option for audio distribution as the ADD, understanding thatcertain control and statistical features are not available as with morerobust options such as with an Audio Collection-PC option (FIGS. 3A, 3B)or Audio Collection-Cloud option (FIG. 4 ) described in further detailherewith. Higher quality radio with features such as, e.g., stereo, HDsound, surround sound, and quality speakers may be used to make theaudio collection sound more realistic.

Matched Pair ACD and ADD

Another example may be to use an Audio Collection Device with a“matched” Audio Distribution Device using, e.g., 2.4 GHz RF packetizenetworking. In this exemplary configuration, the Audio Collection Devicemay contain a microcontroller, a 2.4 GHz Transmitter, microphone pairfor observation, a MCU for solar charging, direct charging jack forsystem for when solar is weak or not available, two volt meters toprovide indication of battery and solar voltages. The voltage indicationallows the user to position the ACD for best solar collection.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 1B, an Audio Distribution Device (150)may include a build-in FOB (ON/OFF) controller (132) that operates whenthe receiver ADD (150) is powered on/off by a power switch (137), bycreating a signal that would power on/off a respective ACD transmitterdevice (not shown), eliminating the need for a separate FOB, and toprovide synchronization of the power status of the paired ACD/ADD. TheADD (150) may also contain a volume control (139) on the ADD receiver(150), DC power supply (130) with optional battery (not shown) includedwithin the case of the ADD, 2.4 GHz network receiver (140), audioheadphones output jack (144), and a speaker output system (136, 142).

In one exemplary embodiment, the same components used on the ACD mayalso be used with the ADD with the exception of a receiver function(versus a transmitter) and an AC power input jack. For operations, theADD may us a solar cell and include the same solar charge controller asthe previous ACD description.

The ADD may also store audio files from an ACD onto an SD memory card(141), or a set of multiple SD cards (141), for longer or daily storagerequirements. The audio files stored on the SD memory card (141) can bestored as individual hourly files or other amount of time duration(e.g., 1 file equals 1 day of audio collection) to allow easy managementof the audio files. The ADD (150) may also include a keypad (134) and adisplay (143) to configure addressing and display other options forselection of, for example, audio quality stored and file durationselections. The features of SD storage, FOB function, and audio featuresselections could also apply to an FM ADD receiver, as mentioned above.

As with the ACD, the source code for the ADD may include a main loopwith functions for: a) volume, b) converting the packetized networkaudio payload into an audio format for output to a speaker or c) writingaudio to an SD card (e.g., in WAV, MP3, or OGG format), d) deviceaddressing, e) Audio Gain Control (ACG), f) normalization, g)mono/stereo, h) LED lights for status for power on, i) RF signal, j)output status display, and k) keyboard input for control, and etc.

Audio Collection-PC System

FIG. 3A illustrates an Audio Collection-PC configuration example, andFIG. 3B illustrates an Audio Collection-PC user interface functionalityscreenshot. FIGS. 3A and 3B provide an example a larger (mid-tier)system (310) according to a present embodiment, with a plurality of ACDs(311-313) providing audio inputs, a computer (314) with a wirelessnetwork connection, mass storage device, speakers, keyboard, mouse, anddisplay, executing Audio Collection-PC software provides the ability tomanage several ACDs (311-313) simultaneously.

In addition, exemplary software for a PC based system as shown in FIGS.3A and 3B may optionally include a sound mixer function (323, 326),multiple ACD input tracks (322), time controls, and file saving (329,330, 331) to mass storage which may include, e.g., disk drives, memory,digital tape, network drive, cloud storage, and etc. Other features ofthe software may optionally include speaker output controls, soundeffects control, post processing abilities for statistical analysis foritems such as, e.g., audio or sound events, audio editing, and audioformat conversions.

Audio Control and Analysis System/Function (CAS) Using an AudioCollection-Cloud System

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary Audio Collection-Cloud system 400 forservicing very large-scale systems. According to this embodiment, theAudio Collection software may be scaled up to run on server(s) with,e.g., high capacity processor(s), RAM memory, RAID configurations withsolid state disk, high speed network trunks, backbones, databases,and/or running Audio Collection-Cloud software. In this configuration, achannel is open to each ACD (401-403) initiated and connected by eitherthe Audio Collection-Cloud service (404) or by the ACD (401-403). Onceconnected, the ACD's audio is streamed into server(s) (404) and timesynchronized with all other ACD's/channels.

Using other Audio Collection-Cloud software features, the audio streamsmay be combined, separated, sound levels adjusted, and searched forpredefined trigger points to result in other actions taken. Otherfeatures may include enabling/disabling a specific channel, sending atext note to an ACD display, receiving a text note from an ACD,retrieving other items from an ACD, such as temperature measurement, aGPS/WiFi/cell location, humidity, ACD volume level, run time, sunlighttime or other environmental readings, battery status, power usage, andbattery charging status, and etc.

Other useful features may be added, such as, e.g., in the situation inwhich many people in a stadium with their smart phones set to AudioCollection. For example, a count of the total ACDs in used/enabled,relative location of ACDs, and management of the ACDs, as a system maybe achieved. In one exemplary implementation, ACDs near a stage may beset to have lower volume levels and ACDs at the back of the stadium setto have high volume levels. In another exemplary implementation,software may collect audio streams by switching through ACDs in realtime to create a sound immersive effect when listening throughheadphones. In yet another exemplary implementation, channels may betransmitted to other rooms or halls with many output speakers providinga sound immersive effect of being in the stadium.

One skilled in the art will readily realize that there are many uniqueoutput configurations that may be created using such a modular buildingblock in an Audio Collection System approach, according to the presentembodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate other aspects of an AudioCast cloud basedAudio Collection and Distribution system and method. They show exemplaryconfiguration control screens and features for a user display for anAudio Collection Cloud, also called AudioCast-Cloud (500), the left sideof the display (501) reflects audio connections (503) coming in fromAudio Collection Devices via addressing. ACDs may connect to a captureURL (502). The right side of the display illustrates a connectionmapping AudioCast Broadcast Control (504) mapping ACDs to streamconfiguration options (e.g., Single Stream, Multi-Cast, orMulti-Dimensional). People that want to listen (listeners) (521) to abroadcast may connect to one of the URLs provided (522).

Referring again to FIG. 5A, if any ACD Control (503) or broadcaster pathis double clicked (508), (509), and (510), another screen is displayedwith selectable features for that specific device or configuration,including sending and receiving text messages, manual or automatic ACDaddressing, manual or automatic connecting, displays for GPSlocation(s), temperature, time, volume control, device user information,proximity, device type, and device related information (e.g., hours ofsunlight, runtime hours, battery status, and etc.).

Selecting any of the “Analyze” radial checkboxes (503) will causelogging to be captured for a specific ACD, tracking items like soundevent counts, or other items, such as, e.g., location, temperature,time, volume control, device user information, proximity, device type,or other device related information (e.g., hours of sunlight, runtimehours, battery status, and etc.).

Reviewing the analysis information may be done using the analysiscontrols (507) wherein the display indicates the current status. The“Review” button opens a window displaying details of the analysis andprovides an option to export the data in, e.g., a csv format for inputinto a spreadsheet or database. The “Control File” button on theanalysis control (507) allows loading of ACD parameters for automatingthe collection analysis process. Events to be analyzed may be, e.g.,predefined using a control file.

FIG. 5B illustrates another exemplary control screen for choosingspecific configurations for, e.g. Single Stream, multicast, and manual,another other control functions/features.

Other Aspects of Audio Collection System Audio Collection Configurations

The environment being monitored determines the Audio Collection Systemconfiguration and if a single or multiple Audio Collection Devices arerequired to create virtual aspects of the monitored environment. EachAudio Collection Device will broadcast a single stream and/or multipleACDs may be used to create various configurations for a givenenvironment. To have the full effect of representing a specificenvironment, e.g., outside of a residence, multiple Audio CollectionDevices and AudioCast Receiver Modules can provide a more realisticlistening experience. For example, an Audio Collection Device and aReceiver at each window would provide an outdoor sound immersiveexperience in a room with multiple windows, and is configurableseparately, as a group or subgroups.

As a reference point, consider a home security system with multiplecameras and multiple microphones. Using this example to bring outdoorsound indoors would be cumbersome and have extra costs and managementdue to the additional cameras. Other deficiencies of such a systeminclude sound output options are typically coupled tightly to the videoand not designed for quality audio output. Security cameras are notintended or designed to bring audio together from multiple sources to belistened to simultaneously as a full representation of sounds in anenvironment. Moreover, one would get the hardware setup supplied withthe product, and therefore, no selections on microphones, power options,and features to stream only audio. Accordingly, present embodiments ofan Audio Collection System being described herewith has many optionsavailable to solve these problems and to create configurations forunique environments, which are not found in existing security systems.

Collection System Configurations

While many configurations may be achieved, listed here are fourexemplary system designs including:

-   -   a) Single Stream    -   b) Multi-Cast    -   c) Multi-Dimensional    -   d) Multi-Cast Dimensional    -   e) Other configurations

Referring to FIG. 6 , the various exemplary configurations are explainedin additional detail herewith:

a) Single Stream System (601)

A Single Stream system (601) collects audio from a local area andbroadcast it out as a single audio stream. A Single Stream Configurationincludes a single ACD (603) and an ADD (607) for streaming live audiofrom outside to indoors. This entry level configuration may be usedindependently or as part of a building block for larger configurations.For example, a window designed ACD with a faceplate to match the designof a window could be an enhancement that window manufacturers couldoffer as an option. On the inside of the window, an area to insert anADD, with faceplate to match the window interior.

b) Multi-Stream System (610)

A Multi-Stream system (610) uses multiple Audio Collection Devices and asingle Distribution Device. Next level up from the Single Stream, thisconfiguration focuses on multiple areas to be monitored, for example,near different bird feeders in rural backyard areas. All ACD streams(604) are combined to a single audio stream and played simultaneously toa single ADD (609). Control options on a smart phone app or personalcomputer may be used to control audio stream(s).

c) Multi-Dimensional System (620)

The Multi-Dimensional system (620) focuses on a plurality of ACDs (605)in multiple areas and separation of ADDs (611) to provide a realisticlistening experience. For example, an ADD could be located at eachwindow in a home and associated with a respective ACD outside thewindow. Alternatively, multiple ADDs (611) may be used in a single roomassociated with multiple ACDs (605) around a garden area providing alistening experience of standing in the middle of the garden.

Enclosures that match the environment may be used, for example, a stone,a plastic frog, or a seat to house the standard form factor waterproofACD modules. This could be an enhancement that manufacturers for gardenaccessories may offer as an option.

Being a modular system, the Multi-Dimensional system provides a path forpeople with Single Stream configurations to expand into.

d) Multi-Cast Dimensional System (630)

The Multi-Cast Dimensional system (630) configuration includes severalACDs (606) with their audio streams combined to a fewer number of ADDs(613). This configuration could be used to monitor front yard and backyard areas of a home with two ADDs in a single room. This would providethe effect of listening while standing in the middle of the yard forexample.

e) Other Configurations

It should be noted that other configurations are possible, for example,a single Audio Collection Device to multiple Audio Distribution Devicesto bring outdoor listening to multiple rooms or star configuration forACDs or ADDs.

Accordingly, present exemplary configuration embodiments outlinedherewith are used to explain the building blocks of various AudioCastsystems. One skilled in the art would recognize that otherconfigurations are possible, therefore, these configurations are not toimply limitations but are used to illustrate scalability of the buildingblocks as a system.

Audio Collection-IS (Internet Streaming) System

In today's environment, people want everything available on theirhandheld device like a tablet or a phone. The present exemplaryAudioCast systems add extra advantages opening up audio sources to usersthat want to listen at work, in a vehicle, or other remote locations.Moreover, Internet Streaming opens up utilizing other devices such asRoku, Amazon Fire, and Audible service, or the like.

An exemplary Audio Collection-IS system may comprise a hub type ofdevice that contains an operating system, a network connection, relateddevice drivers, audio input port, and an audio streaming serverapplication (software). The Audio Collection-IS may be implemented as astand-alone device or optionally may comprise software installed on apersonal computer or a micro PC (e.g., a Raspberry Pie computer).

The Audio Collection-IS may contain several controls to allow setup of abroadcast address to be reached by an Audio Collection App to abroadcast service that is always running on an operating system tonetwork addressed ports for the purpose of sending out broadcast packetsof an audio stream from ACD(s). Controls may also include setup andconfiguration of the Audio Collection-IS device itself. In addition,controls may be accessible via webpages that may be accessed from a PC,a tablet, or a smartphone, or alternatively may be done via a localconsole port or remotely via a utility like PuTTY.

Audio Collection Storage Web Site—Audio Analysis and Storage Services

According to aspects of present embodiments, as audio is collected, aweb site to host audio files and other types of files like video,pictures, text writings, drawings, artwork, and so on would bebeneficial to allow other users to enjoy, review, discuss, and purchasethe original works created by individual users. The web site may alsoprovide analysis and statistics. An Audio Collection Storage web siteprovides users a central place for file storage. Additionally, productsand tools may be available on the web site allowing users to be moreproductive. Some examples include sound analysis, sound event counters,virtual sound tracking, editing software for editing audio files,images, and videos. Products available from the web site may alsoinclude ACDs, ADDs and accessories like mounting brackets, enclosuresand so on. Users may also have accounts and control of their uploadedaudio files and related contents such as, e.g., video files, documents,photographs, drawings, artwork, and etc.

FIG. 14 illustrates major functional components of an exemplary AudioCollection storage web site according to aspects of present embodiments.Content creators (1401) create content of audio (1403, 1404, 1405, 1420)(from components and systems described) and store that content on theexemplary Audio Collection storage web site as “original works” content.The original works content may also include other types of mediumsincluding graphics (1421), photographs, movies (1418, 1422), and otherdocuments (1423, 1424).

The content may be stored in a database (1410) as a binary large object(BLOB) or other database object type. A web site (1400) is linked to thedatabase and provides user functions for content creators and customersincluding live streaming (1406, 1427), account controls (1407), contentsearch features (1408) and an ecommerce function for purchase of content(1412, 1417, and 1409).

Audio/Sound Analysis and Control

According to other aspects of present embodiments, sound analysis may bedone using a sample of noise or sound and then conducting an analysis ofthe audio stream to identify if such a noise occurs or has occurred (forpost processing). For example, a noise of a bearing failure could beidentified in a mechanical device.

A service may be provided by using AudioCast Audio Collection Devicesand/or a smart phone app to listen while an engine is running, forexample. The collected sound is then streamed to a service/serverwherein the noise from the engine is analyzed using sound comparisonfunction (e.g., via a Hidden Markov Model or artificial intelligenceanalysis) comparing the input sound with a library of known soundmodels. A response is provided back to a user with possible causes ofthe noise. If the noise is unknown, then the user is requested to inputwhat issue was discovered for the purpose of updating the sound and/orproblem identification library.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary sound analysis features with an AudioCollection app such as an AudioCast app installed on a mobile device(700), as previously mentioned and described. The exemplary AudioCastapp (700) may comprise 4 exemplary virtual buttons including, Analyze,Mute, Volume, and Settings. The Settings button may be used to setparameters for the device connection to an AudioCast AnalysisSystem/Service 705. When the Analyze button is clicked, a sample of thesound from the device ID (701) is streamed to the AudioCast AnalysisSystem URL (702). A single audio stream (703) is streamed to theReceiver URL (704) that is connected to the Analysis Service/Server(705). The sound received is compared with the sound library (706) andwhen a matching sound is identified, a text message containing theresults of the analysis is sent back to the AudioCast app (700) and maybe displayed on a screen (708). The volume and mute buttons on theAudioCast app (700) is used to manage the sound when taking the samplesound.

In other embodiments, it may also be the case where the analysis andsound library is self-contained in the AudioCast app (700) obviating theneed for the additional analysis service/server (705).

Automobile External Audio Collection Device Example

There are times when it is desirable to hear sounds outside of a vehiclewith the windows closed, for example in very cold or rainy weather. Oneexample is when police are on patrol, many will leave a window open tohear if someone cries for help or the sound of a crime occurring. AnAudio Collection Device that aids in hearing when the windows are fullyclosed in these situations would be useful. This problem may be solvedwith an exemplary ACD device with a specialized microphone thateliminates wind and weather noise (see FIG. 8 ).

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , the electronics may bemounted with the microphone facing down toward a cone, the conecontained in a round 360-degree enclosure surrounded by a wind screen.As sound enters through the wind screen it is reflected upward towardthe cone. However, if water enters through the wind screen, it isreflected downward by gravity and around the cone where it drains outaway from the microphone through holes at the bottom of the enclosure(not shown), due to negative pressure when travel is occurring.

Referring to FIG. 8 , for power, a battery compartment (802) isavailable obviating the need for power from the vehicle. Although avehicle power option could also be made available (and therefore,batteries are not needed for that configuration). The associatedelectronics (803) similar to those already described previously inconnection with an ACD of, e.g., FIG. 1A are mounted on a round PCB forthe purpose of this type of car mounted ACD with the microphone (804)facing downward. Below the microphone is the sound reflection cone (805)used to reflect 360 degrees of sound upward toward the microphone. Theentire device is covered with wind shield foam (806) shown cut away, todisplay the internal components described. On the bottom is a fasteningdevice/function (807) to fasten the ACD to the vehicle.

Standard Form Factors

Using a standard form factor for present exemplary devices allows forsimpler manufacturing, components, and logistics. As shown in FIG. 9 ,two standard enclosures are shown for an ACD example: 1) a roundenclosure (D: 103 mm×H: 53 mm as shown, (902) and (903) used for some360-degree configurations), and 2) a rectangular enclosure (W: 80 mm×L:125 mm×H: 32 mm, (900)). These enclosures may be also used for anexemplary ADD implementation.

The rectangular enclosure (900) was used as a proof of concept birdhouse. That same enclosure fits well with many other environments like ahousewindow frame, a lamppost, and for drones when put in a horizontalorientation and configured with an Aperture Collection Pin as shown inFIG. 10 .

Drone Sound Audio Collection Devices

Unmanned aircrafts such as drones have become popular with lawenforcement, news reporting, and for personal use. Drones provideexcellent aerial views of a specific situation but one area where droneslack is for providing accurate sounds occurring of the aerial view beingobserved by the drones. A challenge for collecting sounds from drones ismanaging, reducing, or removing the sound of the drone motors andpropellers. One method of solving sound related to drone flights wouldbe to have a drone deploy an ACD at the location during the flight, thenretrieve the ACD when the observation is complete.

Referring to FIG. 10 , a parts breakdown is illustrated of an ACDDeploy/Retriever mechanism for a drone deployment example. The ACDDeploy/Retriever is mounted to the bottom of a drone using a wraparounddrone fastener, direct screw mount fastener, or other means, like Velcrohook and loop for example (not shown in the figure).

As shown in FIG. 10 , The ACD Deploy/Retriever contains an aperturemechanism (1030) that is opened and closed using a drive motor (1080)via a drive gear (1040). There is a position sensor related to the drivemotor and drive gear that indicates the status of the aperture open andclosed diameter. Also shown is an aperture pin sensor (1010) thatindicates when the aperture pin is inserted into the ACDdeploy/retriever. It is also noted that one skilled in the art wouldrealize that the aperture mechanism could be opened/closed byalternative means, for example, a bell-crank connected to a rotary slideconnected to the aperture mechanism, or a solenoid connected to a rotaryslide connected to the aperture mechanism, or a spring actuated closemechanism that closes the aperture when the aperture collection pin(1050) makes contact with a spring release located in the ACD. In thecase of the spring actuated mechanism, a solenoid or motor would be usedto lock open the aperture either to deploy or make ready for anotherretrieval.

An exemplary operation of the ACD Deploy/Retriever shown in FIG. 10 isas follows. Referring to FIG. 10 , the aperture collection and retrievalpin (1050) is inserted into the ACD Deploy/Retriever aperture (1020) andthen the aperture closes around the pin attaching it to the drone. Whenthe aperture collection and retrieval pin (1050) is sensed fullyinserted by the aperture pin sensor (1010) or the aperture pin is viewedby an aperture camera (1000), then the drive motor (1080) operatescausing the drive gear (1040) to close the aperture (1020) holding theACD to the drone. Alternatively, a wireless control signal via FOB or abutton on the drone controller using remote control relays may cause thedrive motor (1080) to operate (opening or closing).

The sensor on the motor (or a counter on a stepper motor) determines ifthe aperture is open or closed and stops the drive motor (1080) at thedesired point. A person skilled in the art would realize that the openclose sensor may be done using alternate methods, for example, anencoder motor that counts slots in a disk for position, a light sensor,or a current sensor. Other sensors such as limit sensors may be someother examples which may indicate when limits are reached.

Multiple Audio Collection Devices may be deployed in one of theconfigurations described above (e.g., in FIG. 6 —Multicast or MulticastDimensional). Due to the addressing of Audio Collection Devices, audiostreams may be muted or brought online based on sounds near a specificarea of the aerial view. The audio stream may also be modified inreal-time with a smart phone app or a PC using features to removebackground noise, normalize audio levels, amplify human voices, oradding or removing a specific sound.

Drone Onboard Audio

An Audio Collection Device (ACD) adapted with a unidirectional360-degree microphone with windshield could be added to the drone as anaccessory. While unidirectional 360-degree sounds contradictory, in factthe ACD would collect sound 360 degrees below the drone but beunidirectional for all sounds above the ACD (i.e. the drone motors) toreduce any motor audio from being captured. Such an exemplary done ACDis illustrated in FIG. 11 .

Referring to FIG. 11 , the drone ACD is similar to the automobile ACD(shown in FIG. 8 , and described previously) with a differentconfiguration for the microphone/sound capture. Using the standard roundenclosure (1100), there is an electronics PCB (1103) and battery (1102)similar to those already described previously in connection with an ACDof, e.g., FIG. 1A, and a battery compartment (1103) to supply power tothe device. Below the electronics PCB is the microphone (1104) facingdownward. Around the microphone is a funnel/hourglass or cone shapedcomponent (1105) made from foam or other material that directs soundwaves from below the drone inward toward the microphone and dampenssounds that are not directly below the drone (i.e. motor and propellernoise). A wind shield foam (1106) surrounds the entire microphone andcone/hourglass area.

Other Use Examples for ACD and Audio Collection System Sports Helmets

Another example of present embodiments may be sports helmets with AudioCollection Device which may provide a player's audio experience of agame. Football and other sports games have many fans and a gameenhancement may be the audio and sounds of the players on the field.This may be provided as a premium service and adds new dimensions to thegame experience. In this case, Audio Collection Devices may beincorporated into a football helmet for example, and when a player is onthe field, the audio stream is unmuted, normalized, and sent to an ADD.The streams would be sent via, e.g., a Multi-cast configuration,allowing either the game program broadcaster or the fans to controlwhich streams are online or muted at any given time.

Dogs or Other Animal Audio Collection Devices

Pet owners are passionate about their pets and typically like to haveany information available about their pets. Adding an Audio CollectionDevice to a pet's collar that transmits an audio sound stream to a cellphone app would be beneficial allowing a pet owner to hear sounds aroundand of the pet. Moreover, it would allow the pet owner to determine ifthe pet was in a stressful and potentially dangerous situation. The ACDand ADD could be applied to monitor pets while a person is at work forexample.

Another Exemplary Device

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a system 1200 inwhich various aspects and embodiments may be implemented. System 1200may be embodied as a device including the various components describedbelow and is configured to perform one or more of the aspects describedin this document. Examples of such devices, include, but are not limitedto, various electronic devices such as personal computers, laptopcomputers, smartphones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set topboxes, digital television receivers, personal video/audio recordingsystems, connected home appliances, and servers. Elements of system1200, singly or in combination, may be embodied in a single integratedcircuit, multiple ICs, and/or discrete components. For example, in atleast one embodiment, the processing and encoder/decoder elements ofsystem 1200 are distributed across multiple ICs and/or discretecomponents. In various embodiments, the system 1200 is communicativelycoupled to other similar systems, or to other electronic devices, via,for example, a communications bus or through dedicated input and/oroutput ports. In various embodiments, the system 1200 is configured toimplement one or more of the aspects described in this document, forexample, as an exemplary device for implementing an exemplary ACD, ADD,an Audio Collection system server, cloud or web site/service.

The system 1200 includes at least one processor 1210 configured toexecute instructions loaded therein for implementing, for example, thevarious aspects described in this document. Processor 1210 may includeembedded memory, input output interface, and various other circuitriesas known in the art. The system 1200 includes at least one memory 1220(e.g., a volatile memory device, and/or a non-volatile memory device).System 1200 includes a storage device 1240, which may includenon-volatile memory and/or volatile memory, including, but not limitedto, EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk drive,and/or optical disk drive. The storage device 1240 may include aninternal storage device, an attached storage device, and/or a networkaccessible storage device, as non-limiting examples.

System 1200 includes an encoder/decoder module 1230 configured, forexample, to process data to provide an encoded video/audio or decodedvideo/audio, and the encoder/decoder module 1230 may include its ownprocessor and memory. The encoder/decoder module 1230 representsmodule(s) that may be included in a device to perform the encodingand/or decoding functions. As is known, a device may include one or bothof the encoding and decoding modules. Additionally, encoder/decodermodule 1230 may be implemented as a separate element of system 1200 ormay be incorporated within processor 1210 as a combination of hardwareand software as known to those skilled in the art.

Program code to be loaded onto processor 1210 or encoder/decoder 1230 toperform the various aspects described in this document may be stored instorage device 1240 and subsequently loaded onto memory 1220 forexecution by processor 1210. In accordance with various embodiments, oneor more of processor 1210, memory 1220, storage device 1240, andencoder/decoder module 1230 may store one or more of various itemsduring the performance of the processes described in this document. Suchstored items may include, but are not limited to, the input video/audio,the decoded video/audio or portions of the decoded video/audio, thebitstream, matrices, variables, and intermediate or final results fromthe processing of equations, formulas, operations, and operationallogic.

In several embodiments, memory inside of the processor 1210 and/or theencoder/decoder module 1230 is used to store instructions and to provideworking memory for processing that is needed during encoding ordecoding. In other embodiments, however, a memory external to theprocessing device (for example, the processing device may be either theprocessor 1210 or the encoder/decoder module 1230) is used for one ormore of these functions. The external memory may be the memory 1220and/or the storage device 1240, for example, a dynamic volatile memoryand/or a non-volatile flash memory. In several embodiments, an externalnon-volatile flash memory is used to store the operating system of atelevision. In at least one embodiment, a fast, external dynamicvolatile memory such as a RAM is used as working memory for video/audiocoding and decoding operations, such as for MPEG-2, HEVC, or VVC(Versatile Video/audio Coding).

The input to the elements of system 1200 may be provided through variousinput devices as indicated in block 1205. Such input devices include,but are not limited to, (i) an RF portion that receives an RF signaltransmitted, for example, over the air by a broadcaster, (ii) aComposite input terminal, (iii) a USB input terminal, and/or (iv) anHDMI input terminal.

In various embodiments, the input devices of block 1205 have associatedrespective input processing elements as known in the art. For example,the RF portion may be associated with elements necessary for (i)selecting a desired frequency (also referred to as selecting a signal,or band-limiting a signal to a band of frequencies), (ii) downconverting the selected signal, (iii) band-limiting again to a narrowerband of frequencies to select (for example) a signal frequency bandwhich may be referred to as a channel in certain embodiments, (iv)demodulating the down converted and band-limited signal, (v) performingerror correction, and (vi) demultiplexing to select the desired streamof data packets. The RF portion of various embodiments includes one ormore elements to perform these functions, for example, frequencyselectors, signal selectors, band-limiters, channel selectors, filters,downconverters, demodulators, error correctors, and demultiplexers. TheRF portion may include a tuner that performs various of these functions,including, for example, down converting the received signal to a lowerfrequency (for example, an intermediate frequency or a near-basebandfrequency) or to baseband. In one set-top box embodiment, the RF portionand its associated input processing element receives an RF signaltransmitted over a wired (for example, cable) medium, and performsfrequency selection by filtering, down converting, and filtering againto a desired frequency band. Various embodiments rearrange the order ofthe above-described (and other) elements, remove some of these elements,and/or add other elements performing similar or different functions.Adding elements may include inserting elements in between existingelements, for example, inserting amplifiers and an analog-to-digitalconverter. In various embodiments, the RF portion includes an antenna.

Additionally, the USB and/or HDMI terminals may include respectiveinterface processors for connecting system 1200 to other electronicdevices across USB and/or HDMI connections. It is to be understood thatvarious aspects of input processing, for example, Reed-Solomon errorcorrection, may be implemented, for example, within a separate inputprocessing IC or within processor 1210 as necessary. Similarly, aspectsof USB or HDMI interface processing may be implemented within separateinterface ICs or within processor 1210 as necessary. The demodulated,error corrected, and demultiplexed stream is provided to variousprocessing elements, including, for example, processor 1210, andencoder/decoder 1230 operating in combination with the memory andstorage elements to process the data stream as necessary forpresentation on an output device.

Various elements of system 1200 may be provided within an integratedhousing. Within the integrated housing, the various elements may beinterconnected and transmit data therebetween using suitable connectionarrangement 1215, for example, an internal bus as known in the art,including the I2C bus, wiring, and printed circuit boards.

The system 1200 includes communication interface 1250 that enablescommunication with other devices via communication channel 1260. Thecommunication interface 1250 may include, but is not limited to, atransceiver configured to transmit and to receive data overcommunication channel 1290. The communication interface 1250 mayinclude, but is not limited to, a modem or network card and thecommunication channel 1290 may be implemented, for example, within awired and/or a wireless medium.

Data is streamed to the system 1200, in various embodiments, using aWi-Fi network such as IEEE 802.11. The Wi-Fi signal of these embodimentsis received over the communications channel 1290 and the communicationsinterface 1250 which are adapted for Wi-Fi communications. Thecommunications channel 1290 of these embodiments is typically connectedto an access point or router that provides access to outside networksincluding the Internet for allowing streaming applications and otherover-the-top communications. Other embodiments provide streamed data tothe system 1200 using a set-top box that delivers the data over the HDMIconnection of the input block 1205. Still other embodiments providestreamed data to the system 1200 using the RF connection of the inputblock 1205.

The system 1200 may provide an output signal to various output devices,including a display 1265, speakers 1275, and other peripheral devices1285. The other peripheral devices 1285 include, in various examples ofembodiments, one or more of a stand-alone DVR, a disk player, a stereosystem, a lighting system, and other devices that provide a functionbased on the output of the system 1200. In various embodiments, controlsignals are communicated between the system 1200 and the display 1265,speakers 1275, or other peripheral devices 1285 using signaling such asAV.Link, CEC, or other communications protocols that enabledevice-to-device control with or without user intervention. The outputdevices may be communicatively coupled to system 1200 via dedicatedconnections through respective interfaces 1260, 1270, and 1280.Alternatively, the output devices may be connected to system 1200 usingthe communications channel 1290 via the communications interface 1250.The display 1265 and speakers 1275 may be integrated in a single unitwith the other components of system 1200 in an electronic device, forexample, a television. In various embodiments, the display interface1260 includes a display driver, for example, a timing controller (T Con)chip.

The display 1265 and speaker 1275 may alternatively be separate from oneor more of the other components, for example, if the RF portion of input1205 is part of a separate set-top box. In various embodiments in whichthe display 1265 and speakers 1275 are external components, the outputsignal may be provided via dedicated output connections, including, forexample, HDMI ports, USB ports, or COMP outputs.

The embodiments may be carried out by computer software implemented bythe processor 1210 or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware andsoftware. As a non-limiting example, the embodiments may be implementedby one or more integrated circuits. The memory 1220 may be of any typeappropriate to the technical environment and may be implemented usingany appropriate data storage technology, such as optical memory devices,magnetic memory devices, semiconductor-based memory devices, fixedmemory, and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. The processor1210 may be of any type appropriate to the technical environment, andmay encompass one or more of microprocessors, general purpose computers,special purpose computers, and processors based on a multi-corearchitecture, as non-limiting examples.

Various implementations involve decoding. “Decoding”, as used in thisapplication, may encompass all or part of the processes performed, forexample, on a received encoded sequence in order to produce a finaloutput suitable for display. In various embodiments, such processesinclude one or more of the processes typically performed by a decoder,for example, entropy decoding, inverse quantization, inversetransformation, and differential decoding. In various embodiments, suchprocesses also, or alternatively, include processes performed by adecoder of various implementations described in this application.

As further examples, in one embodiment “decoding” refers only to entropydecoding, in another embodiment “decoding” refers only to differentialdecoding, and in another embodiment “decoding” refers to a combinationof entropy decoding and differential decoding. Whether the phrase“decoding process” is intended to refer specifically to a subset ofoperations or generally to the broader decoding process will be clearbased on the context of the specific descriptions and is believed to bewell understood by those skilled in the art.

Various implementations involve encoding. In an analogous way to theabove discussion about “decoding”, “encoding” as used in thisapplication may encompass all or part of the processes performed, forexample, on an input video/audio sequence in order to produce an encodedbitstream. In various embodiments, such processes include one or more ofthe processes typically performed by an encoder, for example,partitioning, differential encoding, transformation, quantization, andentropy encoding. In various embodiments, such processes also, oralternatively, include processes performed by an encoder of variousimplementations described in this application.

As further examples, in one embodiment “encoding” refers only to entropyencoding, in another embodiment “encoding” refers only to differentialencoding, and in another embodiment “encoding” refers to a combinationof differential encoding and entropy encoding. Whether the phrase“encoding process” is intended to refer specifically to a subset ofoperations or generally to the broader encoding process will be clearbased on the context of the specific descriptions and is believed to bewell understood by those skilled in the art.

Note that the syntax elements as used herein are descriptive terms. Assuch, they do not preclude the use of other syntax element names.

When a figure is presented as a flow diagram, it should be understoodthat it also provides a block diagram of a corresponding apparatus.Similarly, when a figure is presented as a block diagram, it should beunderstood that it also provides a flow diagram of a correspondingmethod/process.

Various embodiments refer to rate distortion optimization. Inparticular, during the encoding process, the balance or trade-offbetween the rate and distortion is usually considered, often given theconstraints of computational complexity. The rate distortionoptimization is usually formulated as minimizing a rate distortionfunction, which is a weighted sum of the rate and of the distortion.There are different approaches to solve the rate distortion optimizationproblem. For example, the approaches may be based on an extensivetesting of all encoding options, including all considered modes orcoding parameters values, with a complete evaluation of their codingcost and related distortion of the reconstructed signal after coding anddecoding. Faster approaches may also be used, to save encodingcomplexity, in particular with computation of an approximated distortionbased on the prediction or the prediction residual signal, not thereconstructed one. Mix of these two approaches may also be used, such asby using an approximated distortion for only some of the possibleencoding options, and a complete distortion for other encoding options.Other approaches only evaluate a subset of the possible encodingoptions. More generally, many approaches employ any of a variety oftechniques to perform the optimization, but the optimization is notnecessarily a complete evaluation of both the coding cost and relateddistortion.

ACD Birdhouse Enclosure Examples

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary birdhouse enclosure that comprisesseparate panels which can be snapped together for quick and easymanufacturing purposes. The roof panels (1306, 1307) snap onto a supportstructure (1305) that also snaps into the birdhouse sides (1300, 1301,1302, 1303). The sides (1300, 1301, 1302, 1303) also snap onto thebottom (1304). The front side (1300) may contain a perch stick (notshown) which may also be used as a handle to remove the front side(1300) and provides access to the standard ACD electronics enclosure(e.g., FIG. 1A, 112, 103 ), battery, and wiring for the photovoltaiccells (not shown in this figure).

Additionally, FIG. 15 illustrates two other prototype bird houseenclosure examples. Two front door designs are shown (1503), oneoperates using hinges and the other snaps onto the enclosure. A hookassembly (1502) is shown. The hook assembly (1502) comprises twoseparate pieces, 1 side (a pin) is attached to a structure via screws(not shown), and a hook (1502) slides over the pin, allowing theenclosure to be easily removed from the structure to accommodate anymaintenance or AC charging. Also shown on the roof are two 500 milliampsolar cells for battery charging (1501). The peak design allows sunlightto be captured as the sun moves across the sky. A flat roof with a solarcell may also be used, however, a reduced solar cell output may occur.

Accordingly, the implementations and aspects described herein may beimplemented in, for example, a method or a process, an apparatus, asoftware program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if only discussed inthe context of a single form of implementation (for example, discussedonly as a method), the implementation of features discussed may also beimplemented in other forms (for example, an apparatus or program). Anapparatus may be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware,software, and firmware. The methods may be implemented in, for example,a processor, which refers to processing devices in general, including,for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or aprogrammable logic device. Processors also include communicationdevices, such as, for example, computers, cell phones, portable/personaldigital assistants (“PDAs”), and other devices that facilitatecommunication of information between end-users.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “one implementation”or “an implementation”, as well as other variations thereof, means thata particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” or “in one implementation” or “in an implementation”,as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughoutthis document are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Additionally, this document may refer to “determining” various pieces ofinformation. Determining the information may include one or more of, forexample, estimating the information, calculating the information,predicting the information, or retrieving the information from memory.

Further, this document may refer to “accessing” various pieces ofinformation. Accessing the information may include one or more of, forexample, receiving the information, retrieving the information (forexample, from memory), storing the information, moving the information,copying the information, calculating the information, determining theinformation, predicting the information, or estimating the information.

Additionally, this document may refer to “receiving” various pieces ofinformation. Receiving is, as with “accessing”, intended to be a broadterm. Receiving the information may include one or more of, for example,accessing the information, or retrieving the information (for example,from memory). Further, “receiving” is typically involved, in one way oranother, during operations such as, for example, storing theinformation, processing the information, transmitting the information,moving the information, copying the information, erasing theinformation, calculating the information, determining the information,predicting the information, or estimating the information.

It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following “/”,“and/or”, and “at least one of”, for example, in the cases of “A/B”, “Aand/or B” and “at least one of A and B”, is intended to encompass theselection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of thesecond listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A andB). As a further example, in the cases of “A, B, and/or C” and “at leastone of A, B, and C”, such phrasing is intended to encompass theselection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of thesecond listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listedoption (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listedoptions (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listedoptions (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listedoptions (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and Band C). This may be extended, as is clear to one of ordinary skill inthis and related arts, for as many items as are listed.

Also, as used herein, the word “signal” refers to, among other things,indicating something to a corresponding decoder. For example, in certainembodiments the encoder signals a particular one of a plurality ofparameters. In this way, in an embodiment the same parameter is used atboth the encoder side and the decoder side. Thus, for example, anencoder may transmit (explicit signaling) a particular parameter to thedecoder so that the decoder may use the same particular parameter.Conversely, if the decoder already has the particular parameter as wellas others, then signaling may be used without transmitting (implicitsignaling) to simply allow the decoder to know and select the particularparameter. By avoiding transmission of any actual functions, a bitsavings is realized in various embodiments. It is to be appreciated thatsignaling may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, one ormore syntax elements, flags, and so forth are used to signal informationto a corresponding decoder in various embodiments. While the precedingrelates to the verb form of the word “signal”, the word “signal” mayalso be used herein as a noun.

As will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, implementationsmay produce a variety of signals formatted to carry information that maybe, for example, stored or transmitted. The information may include, forexample, instructions for performing a method, or data produced by oneof the described implementations. For example, a signal may be formattedto carry the bitstream of a described embodiment. Such a signal may beformatted, for example, as an electromagnetic wave (for example, using aradio frequency portion of spectrum) or as a baseband signal. Theformatting may include, for example, encoding a data stream andmodulating a carrier with the encoded data stream. The information thatthe signal carries may be, for example, analog or digital information.The signal may be transmitted over a variety of different wired orwireless links, as is known. The signal may be stored on aprocessor-readable medium.

We describe a number of embodiments. Features of these embodiments maybe provided alone or in any combination. Various other generalized, aswell as particularized, aspects, embodiments and claims are alsosupported and contemplated throughout this disclosure. Unless indicatedotherwise, or technically precluded, the aspects described in thisapplication may be used individually or in combination.

Exemplary Source Code Listing and Overview

-   -   1) An example reference for creating an ACD device using an        Android smart phone including features:        -   a) Connect—Connection to an ACD system        -   b) Mute—Audio management        -   c) Stream Audio to IP address—Sending audio to the Audio            Collection System    -   2) Example source code reference:        -   The examples below are listed as reference and will be            recognized and understood by a person skilled in the art.            Typical source code examples like this can be found on open            source web sites like https://github.com.    -   3) Referring to FIG. 2 , Define the user Connect and Mute        interface buttons as listed:

Android XML: <RelativeLayoutxmlns:android=″http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/ android″xmlns:tools=″http://schemas.android.com/tools″android:layout_width=″match_parent″ android:layout_height=″match_parent″android:paddingBottom=″@dimen/activity_vertical_margin″android:paddingLeft=″@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin″android:paddingRight=″@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin″android:paddingTop=″@dimen/activity_vertical_margin″tools:context=″.MainActivity″ > <TextView  android:id=″@+id/textView1″ android:layout_width=″wrap_content″ android:layout_height=″wrap_content″ android:text=″@string/hello_world″ /> <Button android:id=″@+id/connect_button″  android:layout_width=″wrap_content″ android:layout_height=″wrap_content″ android:layout_below=″@+id/textView1″ android:layout_centerHorizontal=″true″ android:layout_marginTop=″130dp″  android:text=″Connect″ /> <Button android:id=″@+id/mute_button″  android:layout_width=″wrap_content″ android:layout_height=″wrap_content″ android:layout_alignLeft=″@+id/button1″ android:layout_below=″@+id/button1″  android:layout_marginTop=″64dp″ android:text=″Mute″ /> </RelativeLayout>

-   -   4) Source code example to execute when a button is clicked on        the smart phone app user interface.        -   For brevity the settings button (and related keypad) source            code is omitted and the IP Address is hardcoded (see:            InetAddress.getByName(“192.168.1.5”)) in the run time code            below, however one skilled in the art would easily realize            how to create a variable and to query the user to provide an            IP address or domain address to stream audio to:

package com.example.mictest2; import java.io.IOException; importjava.net.DatagramPacket; import java.net.DatagramSocket; importjava.net.InetAddress; import java.net.UnknownHostException; importandroid.app.Activity; import android.media.AudioFormat; importandroid.media.AudioRecord; import android.media.MediaRecorder; importandroid.os.Bundle; import android.util.Log; import android.view.View;import android.view.View.OnClickListener; import android.widget.Button;public class Send extends Activity { private ButtonconnectButton,muteButton; public byte[ ] buffer; public staticDatagramSocket socket; private int port=50005; AudioRecord recorder;private int sampleRate = 16000 ; // 44100 private int channelConfig =AudioFormat.CHANNEL_IN_MONO; private int audioFormat = AudioFormat.ENCODING_PCM_16BIT; int minBufSize =AudioRecord.getMinBufferSize(sampleRate, channelConfig, audioFormat);private boolean status = true; @Override public void onCreate(BundlesavedInstanceState) {  super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);  connectButton = (Button)findViewByld (R.id.start_button);  muteButton = (Button) findViewByld(R.id.stop_button);  connectButton.setOnClickListener (startListener); muteButton.setOnClickListener (stopListener); } private finalOnClickListener stopListener = new OnClickListener( ) {  @Override public void onClick(View arg0) {   status = false;   recorder.release();   Log.d(″VS″,″Recorder released″);  } }; private finalOnClickListener startListener = new OnClickListener( ) {  @Override public void onClick(View arg0) {   status = true;   startStreaming( ); } };

1. A system comprising: a device comprising an aperture collection andretrieval pin; an apparatus comprising: an aperture; a solenoid; aspring actuated close mechanism; wherein the solenoid is configured tolock the aperture to an open position, and the spring actuated closemechanism is configured to close the aperture when the aperturecollection and retrieval pin makes contact with a spring release of thespring actuated close mechanism to capture the device comprising theaperture collection and retrieval pin.
 2. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising a sensor configured to indicate a close status of theaperture.
 3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensorconfigured to indicate an open status of the aperture.
 4. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising an aperture pin sensor configured to indicatewhen the aperture collection and retrieval pin is inserted into theaperture.
 5. an apparatus comprising: an aperture; a solenoid; a springactuated close mechanism; wherein the solenoid is configured to lock theaperture to an open position, and the spring actuated close mechanism isconfigured to close the aperture when an aperture collection andretrieval pin makes contact with a spring release of the spring actuatedclose mechanism to capture the aperture collection and retrieval pin. 6.The aperture of claim 5 further comprising a sensor configured toindicate a close status of the aperture.
 7. The aperture of claim 5further comprising a sensor configured to indicate an open status of theaperture.
 8. The aperture of claim 5 further comprising an aperture pinsensor configured to indicate when the aperture collection and retrievalpin is inserted into the aperture.